It’s not going to be a loud Red, Blue or Green thing – so wear white tops.The landmark panel discussion at 7 pm this Tuesday at the Goodwill Parish Hall will signal a reset to Independence-era Dominican democracy. Click here to listen. In an orderly fashion, citizens will meet to brainstorm the future we want for our nation. A distinguished panel (below) will lead the discussion. The best ideas will contend as we envision an economic tide that lifts ALL ships.
The truth of the matter is that people all over the world want basically the same things:
- Peace and security
- Jobs with equal promotion opportunities
- Equal access to healthcare, roads, housing, schools and recreation
- Better, safer future for their children
- An effective say into decisions affecting their lives
How each generation goes about securing these rights and opportunities varies from place to place in our world. Some use bombs and bullets. For others,their country is nice just as it is. Still others hope that God in His providence will somehow deliver them from misery- if only they pray long enough and hard enough.
Truth and Reconciliation
Discussions leading up to Dominica’s Independence were intense, but generally civil. Bright young graduates were returning with bold ideas that challenged the status quo. We rejected the Westminster model because we believed it only required the people to participate in democracy every 5 years. We shuddered as one Premier boasted that anyone he sent up would win, “even if it was a broomstick!” All he had to do back then was to hand out some galvanize, cement and rum before election – and that constituency was in the bag. Despite our youthful efforts, the gullible electorate just could not seem to shake off that kind of colonial-era electioneering. We were forced to conclude that generation just had to die off before real change could come. Well, that generation has mostly passed, but the question remains “Are doing things any different now?”
Politics everywhere is a blood sport. Fierce competition will always be with us. However, I am convinced that no democracy can long endure if all we do is rant and rave in different echo chambers and preach to the choir. There is little constructive engagement between opponents. People stay locked in to different radio stations and hurl insults from different political platforms. Imagine, a democracy holds an election and there is no formal debate. Nonsense!
The majority of the active electorate pledges allegiance to one political leader and despises the other. It takes special grace to reach out to sworn enemies and bring people together. The real problem is the silent majority of good-hearted, hardworking, intelligent people who take a timid, hands-off attitude. They fall short by failing to speak up on practical public matters. It is only by activating the un-involved that we can overcome the festering hostile polarization that undermines the common good.
There are those of us who boldly set forth a better way. Like Mandela, we believe that it is important to reach out to those who have a different agenda. So what will be happening on Tuesday night at the Parish Hall? The Mayor of Roseau and Parliamentary representative will offer welcome remarks. Msgr. Eustace Thomas will lead in prayer and a first-former will sing the national anthem. The panel will consist of:
- A dynamic young lady who gives hope for upcoming generation.
- A civil engineer with expertise in tendering for public contracts
- An owner of anelder facility who will speak to business opportunities
- An popular, outspoken member of the clergy
- A specialist physician known to speak boldly on healthcare initiatives
- A well-known, eloquent radio commentator on political and social issues.
Wear White
For better or worse, Britain’s surprise decision to exit the European Union was driven by people power. The results stunned the business establishment as well as the political class of both major parties. Likewise, in Dominica, I am totally, totally dissatisfied with our level of public discourse. How about you?
This “Building a Better Dominica” discussion is sponsored by Dominican Boosters. It will focus like a laser beam on the real needs of our people at this time. Anyone, anywhere desiring the best for Dominica is a booster. Any Dominican Booster will make it their duty to be at Parish Hall tomorrow nightor follow it live. By fostering respectful exchange of ideas, we intend to develop consensus positions, which may be surprisingly beneficial. To register, call/message 440-9133 or 265-0886 or write samchrn@gmail. Share this article and make the first step in the right direction.
Dr. Sam Christian is a syndicated columnist on health and related development issues. He can be reached at [email protected].
Everything we need to be a top caribbean destination for business, leisure but the wrong people with the wrong ideas. the rest too lazy to implement anything worth while because nothing worth while comes easy. we like the easy way out. as we go along with time the youth become more and more disenfranchised, unconcerned, leg astray or just lost. their morals and values are all messed up and they strive for the wrong ideals. no more are we communal, but individualistic. Good. Lets discuss our future, the future are the youth, but what is being done to ensure they have a good standing when it is their turn to lead? what is their inheritance?
our future is stiffled.
Dominica needs to be a democracy. Mr Linton is doing his best but seems to get too embroiled in personal tactics with the opposition. There needs to be a new leader and perhaps a new party. The leader needs to firstly be totally dedicated to getting Dominica back on track. This person needs to have charisma and leadership qualities that stir the people. Until this happens Dominica is stuck with this present Government whose leader from the side lines appears to be Tony Astaphan the guru the hobbit of the nation! God help Dominica. The most pressing thing is WHERE IS THE MONEY FROM THE SALES OF THE PASSPORTS. This really needs to be addressed. Who is collecting this money, the revenue is huge and the price for a passport is shortly going up to 175,000 US dollars. There are many people around the world buying the Dominican passports. Why is Dominica not seeing the benefits of this, it is outrageous. This should be enough to stir the Dominicans to ask for transparency?
Are you a Dominican,What do you mean Dominica needs to be a democracy.Why make such an irrational statement.You have just displayed how a reality can be hidden behind a wall of perception created by your ignorance.Why do you think that Dominicans need a new leader and a new party to move forward, such fallacy, what’s needed is a mental makeover of our populace.
When you ask about the money from passport sales your are either not sincere or not a Dominican, information is publicly available as to where the money for passport sales has been spent, and yes Dominicans and Dominica have benefited from such revenue.Your ignorance does not sweep evidence away. Why would you want Dominicans to question their Government regarding transparency simply on your misinformation and ignorance.
Stop talking fool… Present the evidence! Where has DA profited from passport sales? What’s the value of these projects in case you can name one? How many passports have been sold in the last 15 years? Stop your blah, blah… give us the evidence!
O.K. So my guess:
A dynamic young lady who gives hope for upcoming generation – ????
A civil engineer with expertise in tendering for public contracts – Joseph Leblanc
An owner of anelder facility who will speak to business opportunities – ????
An popular, outspoken member of the clergy – Pastor Randy Rodney
A specialist physician known to speak boldly on healthcare initiatives – Dr. I. Pascal
A well-known, eloquent radio commentator on political and social issues. – Mr. Atherton Martin
Well said Sam. Let us dialogue peacefully, without hate, and build our country never thinking that we cannot overcome the current state of despair among so many. God bless this effort to go beyond party colors and use our God given intelligence to do better.
All I can say is best of luck!
you got to start somewhere